High Intensity Laser Therapy Versus Scapular Stabilization Exercises on Ventilatory Function in Forward Head Posture

NCT ID: NCT06270563

Last Updated: 2024-02-21

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-10-01
• Study Completion Date: 2023-12-01

Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to compare between the efficacy of high intensity LASER therapy and scapular stabilization exercises on ventilatory functions in forward head posture patients

Detailed Description

Neck pain is a common complaint in the population, with a considerable impact on individuals and their families, communities, health-care systems and businesses. The estimated 1-year incidence of neck pain ranges between 10.4 and 21.3%, and the overall prevalence of neck pain in general population can be as high as 86.8%.

The photothermic and the photochemical effects of high intensity LASER therapy may increase blood flow and stimulate collagen production within tendons; in addition, high intensity LASER therapy may increase vascular permeability and has an anti-inflammatory effect, thus removing the pain stimulus.

Scapular stabilization exercise is used as an effective way to recover the imbalance in posture and the muscles. It is also effective in increasing muscle activation in the serratus anterior and lower trapezius, through decreasing the compensatory movement, which is caused by the forward head posture, and in decreasing muscle activation on the upper trapezius. Furthermore, it brings about a spinal curve change and upper crossed syndrome improvement.

Therefore, this study will compare the difference between the effect of high intensity laser therapy and scapular stabilization as a modality of treatment on ventilatory function in forward head posture patients.

Conditions

Forward Head Posture

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Group A

They received postural advice and traditional exercise treatment (stretching and strengthening exercises) for 3 times per week for 12 weeks.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Postural advice

Intervention Type: OTHER

The patients received advice about maintaining good posture when sitting, standing, reading, driving, or lifting; taking breaks; sleeping on back or side with a pillow supporting head/neck; avoiding prolonged phone use; adjusting car seat; reading stand for upright posture; keeping objects close when lifting; and using pillows for support when breastfeeding.

Traditional exercise treatment

Intervention Type: OTHER

The exercise program included strengthening of deep flexor muscles and shoulder retractors while stretching of cervical extensors and pectoral muscles.

Group B

They received postural advice, traditional exercise treatment (stretching and strengthening exercises), and scapular stabilization exercises 3 times per week for 12 weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Postural advice

Intervention Type: OTHER

The patients received advice about maintaining good posture when sitting, standing, reading, driving, or lifting; taking breaks; sleeping on back or side with a pillow supporting head/neck; avoiding prolonged phone use; adjusting car seat; reading stand for upright posture; keeping objects close when lifting; and using pillows for support when breastfeeding.

Traditional exercise treatment

Intervention Type: OTHER

The exercise program included strengthening of deep flexor muscles and shoulder retractors while stretching of cervical extensors and pectoral muscles.

Scapular stabilization exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

Scapular Stabilization exercise was composed of four exercise programs, including scapula retraction exercise, scapula mobilization exercise, and scapula dynamic stabilization exercise I and II.

Group C

They received postural advice, traditional exercise treatment (stretching and strengthening exercises), and high intensity laser therapy 3 times per week for 12 weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Postural advice

Intervention Type: OTHER

The patients received advice about maintaining good posture when sitting, standing, reading, driving, or lifting; taking breaks; sleeping on back or side with a pillow supporting head/neck; avoiding prolonged phone use; adjusting car seat; reading stand for upright posture; keeping objects close when lifting; and using pillows for support when breastfeeding.

Traditional exercise treatment

Intervention Type: OTHER

The exercise program included strengthening of deep flexor muscles and shoulder retractors while stretching of cervical extensors and pectoral muscles.

High intensity Laser therapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

There were two phases in every session, the wavelength is 1064 nm, size of spacer is 60 mm in both phases:

Phase I (analgesic phase): the application was made by moving the applicator perpendicular to the skin in continuous circular movements at trigger points detected by acupuncture, power was 8.00 w with a dosage of 5 J/cm2, surface area 50 cm2, frequency 25 HZ, treatment time in this phase was 3 minutes and total energy received at this phase was 250 J.

Phase II (bio stimulation): the application was made at the pain inflicting region by using continuous linear movements and prevent static application, The power was 8.00 w with a continuous frequency, dosage of 50 J/cm2, surface area 50 cm2, treatment time in this phase was 5 minutes and the total energy that was delivered to the patient during this phase was 2500 J.

Interventions

Postural advice

The patients received advice about maintaining good posture when sitting, standing, reading, driving, or lifting; taking breaks; sleeping on back or side with a pillow supporting head/neck; avoiding prolonged phone use; adjusting car seat; reading stand for upright posture; keeping objects close when lifting; and using pillows for support when breastfeeding.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Traditional exercise treatment

The exercise program included strengthening of deep flexor muscles and shoulder retractors while stretching of cervical extensors and pectoral muscles.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Scapular stabilization exercises

Scapular Stabilization exercise was composed of four exercise programs, including scapula retraction exercise, scapula mobilization exercise, and scapula dynamic stabilization exercise I and II.

Intervention Type: OTHER

High intensity Laser therapy

There were two phases in every session, the wavelength is 1064 nm, size of spacer is 60 mm in both phases:

Phase I (analgesic phase): the application was made by moving the applicator perpendicular to the skin in continuous circular movements at trigger points detected by acupuncture, power was 8.00 w with a dosage of 5 J/cm2, surface area 50 cm2, frequency 25 HZ, treatment time in this phase was 3 minutes and total energy received at this phase was 250 J.

Phase II (bio stimulation): the application was made at the pain inflicting region by using continuous linear movements and prevent static application, The power was 8.00 w with a continuous frequency, dosage of 50 J/cm2, surface area 50 cm2, treatment time in this phase was 5 minutes and the total energy that was delivered to the patient during this phase was 2500 J.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Their ages ranged from 30 -40 years.

2. All patients were diagnosed with forward head posture. - Diagnostic criteria for forward head posture by craniovertebral angle that detected by radiography and was less than 49° using specific goniometer.

3. Patients with abnormal values of decreased Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, MVV and TLC due to forward head posture.

4. All patients are medically and psychologically stable

5. They had a score more than 40% at neck disability index.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patients who had congenital anomalies in the neck and the thoracic cage.

2. Patients with pulmonary diseases (with restrictive lung disease or with obstructive lung disease).

3. Patients with BMI > 30 kg/m2.

4. patients with Contraindications for HILT: malignancies and potential precancerous growths, patients with cochlear implants, endocrine glands disease, patients with febrile conditions, epilepsy, pregnancy, freckles or tattoos, photosensitive medication.

5. Uncontrolled diabetes.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 40 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Cairo University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Shymaa Mohamed Elsadany

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Akram A. Sayed, Prof.

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Faculty of physical therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

Locations

Cairo University

Giza, , Egypt

Countries

Egypt

Other Identifiers

P.T.REC/012/003967

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id